Global

The Security Council keeps failing on Gaza, Ukraine and Iran, and people blame 'the UN.' The real culprit is a 1945 veto clause, and the General Assembly is the place where the states are starting to work around it

While Europe fights to save the old rules-based order and great powers argue over what should replace it, many of us outside those centers aren’t really in that conversation. We’re just trying to build practical networks that work for our own challenges as the old system fades.

If you are a fan of the U.S. show “West Wing”, you might remember the episode where the president’s press secretary, C.J., learned that countries are not where you think they are located on the world map. I encourage you to watch the video below from the iCenter for a refresher of the Mercator map and its impact: Video Credit: iCenter/ NBC For those who are interested in geography and geopolitics, watching this video can be cathartic as it exemplifies why maps are an importan

Why do Taiwanese travelers make the visit from their Embassy to the Holy See? The answer opens a window into the politics of international recognition, religious diplomacy, and the de facto state's contested place in the international system.

Behind every marching soldier and passing tank there is a geopolitical message. In international relations, perception can be just as powerful as military capability itself.

Photo Credit: Getty Images The recent NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye had a lot of ups and downs over the two days when leaders met on the 7th and 8th of July. There was a rocky start where President Trump made remarks saying “I just want to say there was tremendous love in that room,” at a news conference not long after he had said repeatedly that “I’m not happy with NATO.” It appears that he came to this conference unhappy with his fellow leaders as they were unwilling to pr

When we hear the term sportswashing, we often think of Qatar, Saudi Arabia or Russia. But if sport is a tool of soft power, why are Western democracies so often excluded from the conversation?

South Korea is quietly expanding its airport diplomacy. BTS sells out Wembley. Netflix’s Squid Game becomes the most watched drama in the platform's history. While K-beauty brands, cuisine and fashion continue their steady march into shopping districts from Paris to Jakarta. Over the past two decades, South Korea has achieved what many middle powers could only aspire to - transforming itself into a global cultural phenomenon. The success of the K-Wave - or “Hallyu” - has beco

BRICS is looking to change how cross-border payments are made. Will this challenge the West’s financial system?

Visa complications involving participants in the upcoming 2026 World Cup highlight a fundamental reality of global sport. FIFA can organise a global tournament, but access to it is determined by sovereign states and their border policies.

The private and public sectors are increasingly intertwined when it comes to national security. Corporations need to guard themselves against external threats as governments are integrating private technology into their supply chain. This is not a new phenomenon but it is becoming increasingly complex after global market liberalisation and the reduction of trade barriers leading to economic integration. If the last six years have taught us anything, it is that geopolitical st

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is the second time in the last few years where military conflict is impacting energy security. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, energy trade relationships were shattered leading many governments to question how to securitise their energy dependency and buffer themselves from future shocks. Renewable energy has increased dramatically, especially in Asian countries, which has helped in the current crisis. Many countries can boast that they are s

Moving money across borders is meant to follow compliance rules and regulations that are set by governments and followed by the financial institutions. This was already a difficult process to enforce with shadowy LLCs and offshore banking. If you do not want to pay high taxes or you do not want to devalue your wealth in exchange for other currencies, moving money behind the scenes was your best bet for a long time. The cost would be a new company name, registering that compan

Over the course of the war in Ukraine and now with the conflict in Iran and the broader region, news coverage has been filled with discussions about drones, missiles, their range, destructive power, and cost. Yet what is often missing from public discussions is that these weapons not only have a direct outcome on the battlefield, but there are even deeper implications:they define what strategic options a country actually has. A state that is capable of striking its adversarie

I sat down with the nail artist whom I first visited. Eyes to eyes, hands to hands for at least an hour. It is inevitable to have conversations to break the awkward silence. Having an expat in a foreign country. The kickstarting of the questions is always “Where are you from?” “Hong Kong.” I replied and smiled, and was ready for the bunch of expected questions. “So, what language do you speak?” The nail artist asked. “I speak Cantonese.” She thought about it for a while and

“Everything that exists requires energy to create and to operate—not some things, everything,” said energy analysis expert Mark P. Mills back in 2024. That remark may sound evident but it keeps returning to my mind in recent months with every new headline that piles up: Russian strikes on Ukrainian power stations, oil seizures and sanctions, a major blackout in Berlin, U.S. military action linked to Venezuela’s energy sector, and renewed American interest in acquiring Greenla

Global firms are changing the way they do business. Political decisions from powerful countries are changing how multinational companies (MNC) make decisions on their operations. This can be seen in many countries where there is political instability, whether it is heavily sanctioned or a newly formed regime change. Many countries that are deemed risky are often in a region that has an abundance of natural resources or located near a strategic chokepoint or have a large workf

Introduction: Christmas is not often linked to international relations or politics. It is generally seen as a time of celebration, peace, and goodwill, characteristics not usually associated with geopolitics, a subject filled with conflict, both morally and physically. Despite this, geopolitics does not pause during the festive season, and for centuries, the holidays have become entangled with geostrategy. While also being a significant religious and cultural tradition for ma